Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox
BOSTON (Interstat) — The Detroit Tigers, riding a four-game winning streak, open a three-game series against the struggling Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Friday, with rain in the forecast and a marquee pitching matchup on tap.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EDT in conditions expected to be wet and chilly, with a game-time temperature near 56 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Tigers (10-9) arrive after a dramatic 10-9 walk-off win over Kansas City on Thursday, completing a three-game sweep. Detroit has won five of its last six. The Red Sox (7-11) took two of three in St. Louis last weekend but dropped two of three in Minnesota, including a 9-5 victory on Wednesday.
The series opener features a compelling duel of right-handers. Detroit’s Casey Mize (1-1, 3.86 ERA) will oppose Boston’s Ranger Suarez (1-1, 4.15 ERA). Mize has been a steadying force for the rotation, while Suarez looks to build on a solid start to his Red Sox tenure after signing as a free agent.
A key player for Detroit is catcher Dillon Dingler, who is 9 for 33 (.273) with two home runs and seven RBIs over his last 10 games. He went 2 for 5 with a homer and two RBIs in Thursday’s victory.
Boston will counter with shortstop Trevor Story, who is coming off a massive 5-RBI performance Wednesday that included a home run. Story is 11 for 36 (.306) with 15 RBIs in his last 10 contests.
Despite Boston’s subpar record, statistical models show a close contest. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-4 Tigers victory, while its ELO rating system gives the Red Sox a 55.7% probability to win. Betting markets list Boston as a -1.5 run favorite with an over/under of 8 runs.
Following this series, the Tigers return home to face Milwaukee, while the Red Sox prepare for a pivotal early-season set against the New York Yankees.